Jump to menu
7 August 2003
In a summer without a major tournament, football writers and fans go slightly barmy. Transfer rumours are an easy way to fill the column inches without requiring much in the way of research or fact-checking. For instance, was Eidur Gudjohnsen ever really a midfielder? No, he wasn't.
-
Le Tallec and Sinama-Pongolle to Wigan (loan)
- Two hot, hot prospects from France…although they are being bought by Le Scarf. They’ve impressed in pre-season and with Houllier’s record of keeping faith with even the most foolish of his signings (such as Traoré or Biscan), this seems unlikely.
-
Diego and Robinho
- They throw them in at the deep end young in South America. This pair inspired Santos to the title last year, and would be excellent-but-risky signings for a Blackburn side flush with money from the sale of Duff and Dunn.
-
Pires to Valencia
- Much as I love Valencia, they aren't even in the Champions League!
-
Maradona to Dunfermline
- Sadly, it’s his son. But just imagine the shake-up in the SPL with someone like the man himself at a club like Dunfermline!
-
Crowe to Chels
ea
ki
- With Roman Abramovich pumping millions into the club — so far on proven Premiership players — why on earth would they want Crowe, good in the Eircom League but a failure at various levels of the Nationwide League in England?
-
Riquelme (back) to Boca
- Ronaldinho’s now at Barcelona, so someone has to make way because they’re over their quota of non-EU players. This is an innovative and optimistic move by Boca, registering him in Argentina with a view to actually, er, completing the signing at some indeterminate point.
-
Sorín to Portsmouth
- Um…yeah. Sure.
-
Puyol to Man Utd
- Yes, he’s an excellent player. For much of last season he was Barça’s only defender of note. And although he loves the club, he says he’d leave if it would help their parlous finances. Will Man Utd splash out that much on a full-back, though?
-
Morientes and Portillo to Charlton
- Spurs have actually bought some forwards this summer, so it’s been left to Charlton to pick up the silly-season baton. Rebrov and Di Canio are plausible, but Morientes and Portillo?
-
Jardel to Bolton
- One thing that everyone knows about Mario Jardel is that he had a breakdown after his wife left him and refused to play for his club (Sporting) because of depressions. But…he’s also a former Golden Boot winner, and has an incredible scoring record in leagues around Europe, including the Champions League. We really need a striker.